Another party switcher who expects a “D” behind his name will make it a shoo-in, do not forget to vote (for those candidates who are true to their party) !
I am sorry but from what I have seen of the County party’s (please no particular individual is mentioned or inferred) Rep and Dem: they have so much disfunction that if you are a middle of the road person; either party will do. The extremism have driven some over the edge in the name of ‘party’.
Even in National politics; I am beginning to believe having party’s are a curse. But here at the County Level- what party ‘issue’ will they be voting on or supporting? I think there should be no party differentiation at the County level- it just doesnt make much sense.
I am very disturbed that the Chair of the Democratic Central Committee made a statement to the Independent that indicates that she does not support this candidate. Our charter, as members of the committee, is to support all Democratic candidates. From what I can tell, Mr. Smith is a registered Democrat. What he was at one time or what he might be in the future are not the basis for adhering to the basic principles of the Committee. In the spirit of full disclosure, I was a registered Republican from the age of 18 until the day after Bush II was elected. I defaulted as a young adult to Republican because it seemed to make sense to me at the time. When I chose to change my party affiliation, I did so with conviction. Does this make me less of a Democrat or less deserving of support? Who knows the motives behind someone’s choice to change parties? Why shouldn’t we first give the benefit of the doubt and assume the best? Lastly, at the local level, does party really matter? I think principles are paramount.
Just as an example of stinking thinking of politics is this quote:
““He’s deceiving people,” Benedict said of Smith’s decision. “His philosophy is completely different from the Democratic philosophy.
“Our party is for all the people. If you can’t make it on your own … good luck.”
Ummmmmmm…...the Democratic Party is for ALL THE PEOPLE, yes? Then how can his philosophy be completely different?
This is just illogical.
I can get into the Rep quotes- but will refrain at the moment. But they are just as idiotic.
Last time Virginia Benedict gave a quote to the Independent, she followed it with a letter to the editor that said she was misquoted and the journalist got it wrong.
“What I believe in hasn’t changed,” Kelly said in response to Wesbury’s claim. “I’m a fiscal conservative. I’m moderate. I believe in good education for our children, economic development and my record as a commissioner was always about lowering taxes for our citizens. My positions are always consistent. They’re popular with all citizens regardless of their party affiliation.”
“They don’t care what they believe or what the people believe in,” Wesbury said. “They believe a ‘D’ at the end of their name will help them get elected, when in fact the people see through this party-changing mentality.”
Wesbury needs to sharpen up. He and Virginia Benedict should read the hand-writing on the wall. CQK’s quote is exactly what voters want to hear. Who cares what party he/she was/is a member of? That doesn’t mean squat. Did Virginia Benedict have any comment about Vinnie ripping off a campaign sign at the Truman-Kennedy dinner? NO. Better to clean up your own backyard before worrying about others; same for Bruce.
The real sad part is a large number of voters will not take the time to research the candidates and what they believe. Many of them go to the polls and vote strictly party lines not really knowing anything about who they are or what they believe. Voters really need to be aware that you are making an investment into your own future when you cast a vote. That candidate helps decide how your tax money gets spent. There are not many of us that would make a large purchase without taking the time to research and make sure we are getting our monies worth. It is important that we all make sure our potential candidates are looking out for us regardless of party affiliation. They represent us; that is the only reason they should be in office.
The real sad part is a large number of voters will not take the time to research the candidates and what they believe. Many of them go to the polls and vote strictly party lines not really knowing anything about who they are or what they believe. Voters really need to be aware that you are making an investment into your own future when you cast a vote. That candidate helps decide how your tax money gets spent. There are not many of us that would make a large purchase without taking the time to research and make sure we are getting our monies worth. It is important that we all make sure our potential candidates are looking out for us regardless of party affiliation. They represent us; that is the only reason they should be in office.
For those that believe that party affiliation means nothing, I would ask this: Why don’t we have people filing as candidates from hundreds of different parties (or no party at all)? If party makes no difference, why did Al and Candice change party affiliation? Of course it matters! Maybe not to the average voter who doesn’t really even understand the issues or know the candidates but these are the people that make up the largest voting block.
Personally, I’m a Republican because I believe in the core values espoused by the GOP: Smaller government, lower taxes, pro-business, strong national defense and personal responsibility (to name a few). Does this mean that I agree with everything any Republican says? Of course not. There are dirtbags in every party. But to say affiliation “doesn’t matter” is disingenuous. Now, I would be thrilled to see a slate of candidates with no party affiliations whatsoever when I go into the voting booth, which would require voters to actually learn something about the candidates (or just make random selections as many do now). So, why aren’t more candidates filing with NO party affiliation (because they can, you know)? BECAUSE IT MAKES A DIFFERENCE! Even if that difference is public perception. Do you know how hard it is to get elected as a Republican in Maryland? Does that mean that all Republicans in Maryland are bad? No, it means that voters in MD are voting party affiliation.
As for Benedict’s shot at Al Smith, why is he any different than Candice? Both are former Republican commissioners.
So, why aren’t more candidates filing with NO party affiliation (because they can, you know)? BECAUSE IT MAKES A DIFFERENCE!
well i agree party does make a difference, but i think the part that you are missing is the fact that the deck is stacked against so-called 3rd parties. pretty much ever since the time of John Adams things have been configured so that the dems and republicans have a virtual monopoly on the system (and the two parties these days are pretty much a mirror image of each other), so there really is no diversity whatsoever in today’s politics. especially in presidential politics, as you have to win from the middle. in one way or another, they are all in this game to protect their own little fiefdoms.
i don’t much believe in parties of convenience (meaning for example i believe in Libertarians, but i don’t much care for disaffected Republicans calling themselves Libertarian for the sake of nothing other than separating themselves from the party). but even parties that produce candidates that run on a legitimate platform are completely shut out of the system. unfortunately, it takes money to win, and until we move to a system that has 100% public funding of diverse candidates, i view this system as fundamentally broken in a very bad way.
personally, i decline to affiliate with a party as a protest to a broken system.
when the Chairman of Diebold stands up at a Republican shindig and states that “I will deliver Ohio to the GOP in November”—-and actually gets away with it, you know something is badly broken. cue the theme from The Twilight Zone…
for what it’s worth, i will most likely be voting ‘D’ for the very first time in my life this November—-at least as far as local elections go. i hope it doesn’t hurt too much.
and swamp: you missed the point; it is what National Party interest will be resolved here on a local level? If I as a Republican am appalled at a Republican Candidate and like what I researched or know about a Democratic Candidate- party be damned. Loyalty to a party does not triumph over the good of the people and County.
To do that is contrary to your responsibility as a Citizen to vote for the best Candidate- not the best Republican Candidate.
For those that believe that party affiliation means nothing, I would ask this: Why don’t we have people filing as candidates from hundreds of different parties (or no party at all)?
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So, why aren’t more candidates filing with NO party affiliation (because they can, you know)? BECAUSE IT MAKES A DIFFERENCE! Even if that difference is public perception. Do you know how hard it is to get elected as a Republican in Maryland? Does that mean that all Republicans in Maryland are bad? No, it means that voters in MD are voting party affiliation.
The reason in Maryland that we don’t see more third party or non-affiliated candidates in Maryland is because to file as a candidate as a third party or non-affiliated candidate is more difficult than filing as a Republican or a Democrat. As a Republican or a Democrat, you go to the Board of Elections, fill out some paperwork, pay your filing fee and you’re filed. As a third party or non-affiliated candidate you have to go to the Board of Elections, fill out some paperwork to declare your intent, pay your filing fee, then you need to collect VALID signatures of 1% (or 250, which ever is greater) of the registered voters in your County or District (depending on the office you’re filing for) for the third party or non-affiliation you’re seeking, AND you need a Statement of Nomination from the State level’s party organization for what every third party you’re filing for.
So you can be a Republican or a Democrat and spend all of about 30 minutes filing, or you can try to qualify as a third-party or non-affiliated candidate by spending weeks (literally) attempting to collect enough VALID signatures AND to be, for a lack of better term, endorsed or chosen by the State level’s third party organization to run for that office.
Also, 1% of the registered voters may not seem to be very many, but to qualify as a VALID signature on a petition, a registered voter must sign their name, address and other information EXACTLY as it they are registered. If you registered as John Q. Smith at 123 Bowling Court, La Plata, MD you must sign the petition that way. John Smith, John Q Smith (no period after ‘Q’) or even John Quincy Smith, or even abbreviating Court as Ct aren’t valid… It was stated by a Board of Elections official that roughly 50% of all signature on any given petition aren’t valid for that reason.
Also, most people, even most people REGISTERED as such don’t know there is a difference between non-affiliated and Independent. In Maryland, the Independent party is an official, recognized party affiliation. Most people incorrectly interchange the term Independent and non-affiliated as if they are the same. Try collecting 500 signatures of “Independent” registered voters when most non-affiliated voters think they’re “independent” because they haven’t chosen a party or vice versa.
The other statement you made, that “BECAUSE IT MAKES A DIFFERENCE! Even if that difference is public perception.” is sadly very true. Do you know how many people have told me, to my face, that they would vote for so and so if they could, but that they aren’t allowed because that candidate is a Republican and they’re registered as a Democrat or that the candidate is Democrat and they’re registered as a Republican? I honestly can put that number around twelve. Then you have those that state they would vote for so and so for Commissioner if only they lived in that District, not realizing that in Charles County you vote for all five, regardless of District. That number is closer to twenty. It is scary to think of how many people vote party lines—BOTH REPUBLICAN AND DEMOCRAT—not because they choose to, but because they think they have to, or people who don’t completely fill out a ballot, not because they wouldn’t choose to support a candidate for office, but because they think they’re not allowed to. And these aren’t dumb people. They are people with college degrees, good jobs, some of them business owners in our area… it is discouraging to say the least.
I do find it disappointing that many people do vote party affiliation without ever researching a candidate. I have talked to quite a few who have done and then complain about thier choice. What is even depressing more is the number of people that just do not vote. When it comes to where we live, everyone has some sort of opinion but when it goes to actually coming out and voting, many just do not show up. For those that do take the time to vote, I do commend you.
if we can get 75% voter turn out in any election, but preferably a presidential election, i can practically guarantee a forklift upgrade of our system; a complete flushing of the effluvia.
Eric is right, not enough people vote, and there is too much blind allegiance.
Quack, good points. Voter knowledge and understanding seems to be at an all-time low. Why don’t we teach civics in school anymore? Different thread for that, I guess!
Like I indicated, I believe that people choose a party affiliation based on core beliefs. If they are choosing that affiliation, however, as a matter of convenience, then it means nothing and that person’s credibility (IMHO) is moot.
So, back to Al Smith. What makes him a Democrat or a Republican? If it’s ideology, fine. If it’s convenience, I don’t want him to be my commissioner. It reveals something about the person.
Just as an example of stinking thinking of politics is this quote:
““He’s deceiving people,” Benedict said of Smith’s decision. “His philosophy is completely different from the Democratic philosophy.
“Our party is for all the people. If you can’t make it on your own … good luck.”
Ummmmmmm…...the Democratic Party is for ALL THE PEOPLE, yes? Then how can his philosophy be completely different?
This is just illogical.
I can get into the Rep quotes- but will refrain at the moment. But they are just as idiotic.
And here’s what Eric Vrem, a Republican running for Commissioner, District 3 had to say (from the Maryland Independent, July 9, 2010):
“Personally, I believe the party system can be really frustrating. It forces an individual to pick sides and you have both sides saying they are the better than the other. Both parties have some major flaws, particularly on the county level. But it really comes down to the voters. You want them to go out and vote for who truly represents them.”
There it is in a nutshell. Well said, Eric. The others quoted never took the time to think it through and babbled on in PartySpeak trying to make little sound bites to wow the readers.
I think at least 70 % of the people are in the middle range- neither far right tea party or radical liberals. That 70% could go either way if they just didn’t have a letter identifying the candidate. I agree in the National Arena there can be differences that matter in legislation. Right now the only thing the party names are doing is blocking what the other does- not in doing what is right for America.
